Marylanders Brace For Heavy Rain, Potential Flooding As Ida Moves North
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- As Ida moves North, Maryland is bracing for rain, wind and potential flooding in low-lying areas.
Ryan Lamy owns Pip's Dock Street Dogs in Annapolis and said his business floods often. "We first opened 12 years ago it was like 'panic mode,' but you figure it out down here on Dock Street; it's a regular occurrence," he said.
Hurricanes, tropical storms, even just the passing shower can cause nuisance flooding. In some cases, Lamy's entire restaurant has been water-logged. He said, "once the sidewalk is gone that's pretty much it for the day. It comes into the building and we can get ankle-deep, shin-deep, I've had it knee-deep in here before."
The remnants and outer bands of Ida are expected to pass through Maryland Tuesday night and Wednesday so areas are starting to prepare. Ellicott City is also no stranger to flooding so parts of Main St and Maryland Avenue will be blocked off so cars won't be stuck if the waters rise.
Gavin Buckley, Annapolis Mayor, said "we know the forecast has been downgraded, but there still is a threat of flooding." Though the city does have a long-term plan to raise City Dock 6 feet in the coming years to accommodate sea-level rise, the city put sump pumps in the drains to help flush out water that ends up on the roadways after coming up through the ground.
Buckley said, "storms or weather events push water up the Chesapeake Bay and into the storm drains, then up through the grate and into the street." Lamy has noticed a difference. "I guess it's been a couple years now the city put in some sump pumps in the parking lot out here and that's helped tremendously," he said.
The Maryland Emergency Management Agency Deputy Director, Chas Eby told WJZ some areas will see 6+ inches of rain and flash flooding is a concern. "The grounds are already saturated so we are concerned about power outages that may happen also so it's important to charge devices ahead of the storm," Eby said.
MEMA is urging residents to stay inside during storms and if you see standing water covering a road, they say you should not drive through it.
The Office of Emergency Management in Annapolis said if any residents who have functional or access needs and wants assistance before or after the storm you can call 410-216-9167
